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Growth Rate
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Moderate. New Age White typically grows 12–18 inches per year, reaching its mature size in about 3–4 years under optimal conditions. |
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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Yes |
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Bloom Color
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Disease resistant
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Yes |
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Cold Tolerant
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Yes |
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Heat Tolerant
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Yes |
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Drought Tolerant
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No |
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Deer Resistant
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Yes |
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Edible
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No |
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Wildlife Attraction
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- Pollinators: The sweet, fragrant flowers of New Age White attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The plant’s early bloom period provides these creatures with a valuable nectar source when few other plants are flowering.
Birds: After blooming, New Age White may produce small seed pods that provide food for birds during the fall and winter months. The dense, rounded foliage also offers shelter for small birds.
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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- Spring to Summer: New Age White begins blooming in late spring, around May or June, producing abundant clusters of pure white flowers. These fragrant blooms last throughout early summer, filling your garden with their sweet aroma. The plant’s dark green foliage provides a striking backdrop to the flowers, maintaining a lush appearance even as the flowers fade.
- Fall: In the fall, the foliage transitions to yellow before dropping, offering a soft, seasonal color change. The plant’s structure provides interest even after the blooms have faded.
Winter: During the winter, New Age White enters dormancy, shedding its leaves but maintaining a tidy, upright form that adds structure to the garden during the colder months.
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Leaf Description
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- Leaves: The leaves of New Age White are dark green, heart-shaped, and smooth, providing a rich contrast to the bright white flowers. The foliage remains lush and healthy throughout the growing season, creating a dense, uniform appearance.
- Fall Color: In the fall, the leaves turn to shades of yellow before dropping, adding a soft, golden hue to your landscape before the plant goes dormant.
- Texture: The leaves are smooth and slightly leathery, giving the shrub a clean, polished look.
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Flower Description
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- Flower Description: New Age White produces large, showy clusters of pure white flowers in conical shapes. These blooms are densely packed and exude a strong, sweet fragrance that fills the air, making it a sensory delight. The contrast between the white flowers and the dark green foliage creates a striking visual effect.
- Flower Longevity: The flowers last for several weeks, with new clusters continually emerging as the older ones fade. Regular deadheading after flowering will help encourage more blooms and keep the plant looking tidy.
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Planting Instructions
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- Best Time to Plant: The best time to plant New Age White is in early spring, after the last frost, or fall, before the first frost. This timing allows the plant to establish roots before extreme summer or winter temperatures set in.
- Planting Instructions: Choose a location with well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Lilacs prefer slightly alkaline soil and need a sunny spot for optimal flowering. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth. Place the plant in the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with soil, firm it gently, and water thoroughly to settle the roots.
- Spacing: Space plants about 4–5 feet apart to allow for their mature size and promote good air circulation, which helps prevent disease.
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Pruning & Maintenance
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- Pruning Time: Prune New Age White in early spring, before new growth begins. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased stems, and trim the plant to shape it as needed.
- Pruning Tips: After the main bloom period, deadheading spent flowers will encourage further blooming. Light pruning can be done throughout the growing season to maintain the shrub’s shape and encourage fresh growth.
Maintenance Pruning: Regular pruning of spent flowers and any overgrown stems will help maintain the plant’s overall shape and health. Avoid heavy pruning, as lilacs bloom on old wood, and excessive pruning may reduce flower production.
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Water Needs
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- Watering: New Age White requires moderate watering, especially during dry spells. Water the plant deeply once a week, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. It prefers well-drained soil and does not tolerate standing water.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, New Age White is moderately drought-tolerant, but it performs best with regular moisture, particularly during its flowering season.
Watering Tip: Water at the base of the plant and avoid overhead watering, which can promote fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
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Light Needs
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- Light: New Age White thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. For optimal flowering, the plant should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In hotter climates, providing some afternoon shade will help protect the plant from excessive heat and ensure vibrant flowers.
- Shade Tolerance: While New Age White can tolerate some shade, it will produce fewer flowers and grow less vigorously in low-light conditions.
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Harvesting
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- Harvesting: New Age White is ideal for use in floral arrangements. Cut stems with full blooms to display in vases. These branches will last for several days in water, providing beauty and fragrance in your home.
- Seed Pods: After flowering, small seed pods may form. These pods are typically left for birds to enjoy in the fall, but they can also be harvested for propagation if desired.
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Fertilizing
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- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, just before new growth begins. This will help support strong growth and abundant blooms throughout the growing season.
- Fertilizer Tip: Avoid fertilizers that are too high in nitrogen, as this can promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers. A balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will help improve flowering and overall plant health.
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Pollination
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- New Age White produces both male and female flowers and is self-pollinating, meaning it does not require another lilac plant to produce flowers. However, planting it near other lilacs or pollinator-friendly plants can enhance overall pollination and result in more prolific blooms.
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Companion Plants
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- Perennials: Pair with perennials like Echinacea, Daylilies, or Coreopsis for a mix of color and texture.
- Shrubs: Combine with other small flowering shrubs such as Weigela, Viburnum, or Spiraea to create a layered garden.
Groundcovers: Low-growing groundcovers like Ajuga or Liriope will complement New Age White and enhance its appearance.
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